23rd Annual First Night Alexandria

150+ Live Performances and Only Fireworks in the D.C. Area at Largest Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Party in the Region

Alexandria, VA—First Night Alexandria, the largest family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party in the Washington, D.C. region, returns to Old Town December 31, 2017 with family-friendly activities beginning at 2 p.m. and culminating with a spectacular fireworks display—the only one in the D.C. metro area—over the Potomac River at midnight. This annual New Year’s Eve bash takes over Old Town Alexandria with more than 150 performances at 22 indoor venues, with live music, dancing, children’s face painting and games. There is also a venue in Del Ray where families can enjoy an Old Fashioned Carnival.

Each year, revelers stroll Old Town Alexandria’s historic streets among art galleries, historic sites, churches and even retail shops that have been transformed into cozy performance venues. Intimate concerts at Principle Gallery and Imagine Artwear will entertain guests while the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial rock with dancing to great bands. Old Town’s many restaurants and pubs welcome First Night fans, with a choice of eateries catering to families with children or couples looking for an upscale date night where they can toast the New Year. First Night hotel packages make for an attractive long weekend in Alexandria and provide a chance to take in even more arts, shopping and culture in the city. Learn more, plan what performances you’d like to attend and create your New Year’s getaway at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/FirstNight.

Entertainment from 7 p.m. to Midnight

The main event begins at 7 p.m.with live performances at 22 indoor venues in Old Town and one in Del Ray. The city’s most musical evening features rocking rhythm and blues, traditional Irish music, old school funk, acoustic folk, swing and more. Dancing in the street starts at the east end of King Street from 10 p.m. until the countdown to the fireworks finale at midnight. New acts Razor Hill, The Rogues, and the Dr. Robert Band join returning favorites Bill Kirchen, The Vaughn Ambrose Trio, Al Petteway and Amy White, Janine Wilson, Nicole Belanus, Not So Modern Jazz, and King Teddy.

This family-friendly event is jam-packed with activities for kids throughout the night, including face painting, clowns making balloon sculptures, and interactive games. A New Year’s Eve countdown for children occurs at Washington Street United Methodist Church at 8 p.m. At the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, families enjoy clowns and face painting. The Old Fashioned Carnival in Del Ray features games, music, prizes and more, while the Battle of the Local Stars returns with teenage musicians competing for a paid performance spot at next year’s event with celebrity judges such as Keira Moran. Alcohol-free venues keep it fun and accessible for all ages.

Afternoon Activities from 2-5 p.m.

Daytime activities kick off at 2 p.m. at locations throughout Old Town, including the 9th annual all-ages, brain-teasing Fun Hunt. Additional First Night activities range from tasting events to interactive art lessons and pet-friendly gatherings hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. In Del Ray, the Mount Vernon Recreation Center is filled with fun activities for children 10 and younger. Returning kid-friendly activities are presented by the Torpedo Factory Art Center, The Art League, Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria Library’s Kate Waller Branch, and Hooray for Books!

Event Details

WHAT: First Night Alexandria

DATE: December 31, 2017

TIME: Afternoon activities: 2-5 p.m. including the 9th Annual Fun Hunt
Performances: 7 p.m.-midnight at venues throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
Fireworks: Midnight along the Potomac River at the foot of King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

ADMISSION: $20 before December 10; $30 after December 11; free for children 12 and under and active military

Where to purchase admission badges:

Online at FirstNightAlexandria.org/tickets and pick up your badge at the Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King St.) beginning December 21 (hours vary throughout December; call 703-838-5005 for more information); or pick up your online-purchased badge on December 31 beginning at noon at the Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St.) or beginning at 2 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.) or George Washington Masonic National Memorial at 7 p.m. Badges will not be mailed.

Badges may be purchased at the Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King St.) from December 2 to December 31. Online purchases can also be picked up at the Visitor Center beginning December 21.

Every venue will sell badges beginning 15 minutes before the first performance. Cash only on December 31 with the exception of the Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St.), Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.), George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) and the Visitor Center, which will accept credit cards.

Calendar Listing

December 31, 2017, 23rd Annual First Night Alexandria. The largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve party in the region takes over Old Town Alexandria with a fireworks finale and more than 150 performances at 22 indoor venues in Old Town and one in Del Ray, with live music, dancing and children’s activities. The afternoon’s 9th Annual Fun Hunt is accompanied by all-new activities for families and pets. There’s a venue at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray filled with fun activities for children 10 and younger. There is dancing in the street at the east end of King Street from 10 p.m. until midnight. First Night’s fireworks finale—the only one in the D.C. metro area—returns with a spectacular display over the Potomac River at midnight. Afternoon activities from 2-5 p.m. Performances from 7 p.m.-midnight. $20 before December 10; $30 after. Children under 12 and active military are free. 703-746-3299, FirstNightAlexandria.org. #ALXFirstNight

About First Night Alexandria
First Night Alexandria (FNA) is the largest family-friendly, budget-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region. FNA began in 1994 as a celebration of the New Year through the performing arts. Coffee shops, retail stores, hotels, museums and public buildings are turned into performance venues to showcase a variety of talent. First Night celebrations take place around the world, having been founded in 1976 by a group of civic-minded artists in Boston as a meaningful alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. To learn more, visit FirstNightAlexandria.org.

ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA
Within eyesight of Washington, DC on the Potomac River waterfront, Alexandria, Virginia is nationally recognized for its acclaimed, chef-driven restaurants, bustling boutiques and dynamic arts set against a backdrop of 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from its days as George Washington’s hometown. Old Town Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a hidden gem tucked beneath the nation’s capital. VisitAlexandriaVA.com